1996 Château Guiraud

Château Guiraud is one of the largest estates in Sauternes and makes a Premier Cru Sauternes. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries the 300-acre estate, which includes 210 acres of vineyards, was owned by a single family, the Guirauds, who earned the estate a reputation for outstanding wine. In 2006 the estate was purchased by four business partners who have continued to produce prestigious wines. Vineyards are planted with 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, which is a notably high percentage of Sauvignon Blanc by the standards of the region. On average the vines are 30 years old. Nearly 10,000 bottles of Château Guiraud are produced annually. The estate also produces a dry white wine of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Sauternes makes the world’s most famous dessert wines. Though the appellation lies within the Graves region of Bordeaux’s left bank, the appellation makes only sweet wines from white grapes, primarily Semillon sometimes blended with small amounts of Muscadelle. The five communes within Sauternes are Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes. Barsac also has its own appellation and, typically, Barsac wines are slightly drier and lighter than other Sauternes. Sauternes are made when weather conditions result in a mold called Botrytis cinerea developing on the grapes, which causes them to become especially sweet. Sauternes are not produced every vintage, so successful vintages become especially collectible. Sauternes estates were classified in 1855, and Château d’Yquem, the appellation’s most prestigious estate, was ranked in a class by itself as a Premier Grand Cru. Château d’Yquem wines are among the most prized wines in the world.